Towing?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: kansas
Towing?
Hey, I am in the market for a 73-79 f150 or bigger, 4x4. are about any of these older trucks (with the smaller V8's, 351's) any good for towing? the reason I ask is becuase I am 15, and getting a truck soon, and my dad wants to sell my moms 03' f150 supercrew so she can get something more economical! we will have a trailer ranging fomr 2500 to 3500 lbs loaded, will the older fords hold up while towing if they were in good running condition? we were talking about buyin an older diesel, but that may cost too much for me right now! thanks, later
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: NE Texas
The older diesels are headaches IMHO. The FE engines were very strong and could handle that load easily. I would look for an F250 4X4, but it would be costly - anywhere from $2000 to $4500 depending on your location. I have seen some sell for $7500, but they were really beefed and clean.
I also have a 351M that is a strong engine in my F150 4x4, but I rarely tow anything over 1200 LB due to the larger tires.
I also have a 351M that is a strong engine in my F150 4x4, but I rarely tow anything over 1200 LB due to the larger tires.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
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I pull my Moritz 3 horse slant (steel construction) horse trailer with my 79 250 4x4, 400, auto, 3.55's 4brl, edelbrock performer intake, headers, duals...etc... all stock inside....
Loaded with horses and tack it adverages around 5500 lbs. I walk away with the load with no problem. Even with interstate running I hold and at times pass traffic with pedal to spare
Loaded with horses and tack it adverages around 5500 lbs. I walk away with the load with no problem. Even with interstate running I hold and at times pass traffic with pedal to spare
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: kansas
thanks fellas, I saw one F-250 around here, 1500 bucks, but it needed a little more work than I wanted to do! I think most of them are taken up in this area, I think for as much as we will be towing wit it ( every-other weekend maybe) it should be fine compared to our supercrew! we might even keep the crew longer, don't really know! thanks again, anymore input is welcome!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
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If the F150s are cheaper, you could still tow what you are talking about, and be fine. Back then, the engine, transmission, transfer case, and a lot of the front axles were the same on the F150s and 250s. Even the rear suspension had the heavy option, which was the same leaves as the 250s. The only real difference, considering all that, is the rear axle. It is a ford 9", and they are only probably the #1 swapped axle
If a 9" can be used for racing, then you can use it for towing a medium weight trailer. While I own an F250, I would buy a 150 in a heartbeat if I was looking for one and it was a better deal. Ted
If a 9" can be used for racing, then you can use it for towing a medium weight trailer. While I own an F250, I would buy a 150 in a heartbeat if I was looking for one and it was a better deal. Ted
Last edited by teds74ford; Mar 19, 2004 at 06:40 AM.
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From: kansas
thanks again! I have another question, if it don't get answered here then, I'll make another post, but I am lookin at a 76' 150, and it has a 390 V8. I assume that they must have swapped that in? how are these in comparison to what was originally in these trucks? and how do they compare on gas mileage? thanks!
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Earth
If I remember right, my dad had a '76 or 77 F150. I know it was an F150, and that it had the 351m in it, just not sure on the year. Now, about towing, all he had done to the engine was install an RV cam. I can remember as a kid that we would tow loads, and loads and loads of firewood with that thing with a trailer. All totalled it was about 3-cords of wood each trip with the trailer. It did surprisingly well. He liked it, but wanted something bigger, that is why he got the '79 F350 long bed when he saw it and sold the F150. Now the F350 is mine. All I can say is, depending on what you want to tow, the F150 will probably work for you. I've had minimal experience with a 390, and I must say it seemed to be a decent work horse. Like anything else though, you have to keep it in decent working condition too, IMO.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: WA
I use my F150 to tow a heavy boat trailer, around 3500 pounds worth. It does a decent job. The engine is tired (and is out of thr truck now getting replaced), but the rest of the chassis does well. I do plan on adding a set of hellwig helper springs to it and getting my rear springs recurved as it does sag quite a bit with that much weight on the rear. It would also be nice if the brakes were stronger, but thats another project for another year.
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Logistics Pro
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That is something I forgot to mention when I was doing my comparison list-the brakes. If you do a search, and also look in the tech articles, there are some discussions about using an F350 master cylinder and (I believe) T-bird calipers. The master alone will help, but could overstress the calipers. Anyway, just a little more info for you guys. I will say that, in that respect, the F250 is definitely superior. Mine has dual piston calipers, and if you hit them hard enough, they will lock 'em up and send you through the windshield. I am sure you could upgrade the F150 brakes to be just as good, though. Ted
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From: kansas
thanks guys! I don't know if I'm gonna get it cause my parents went out and bought a 2000 mustang for my mom so we can keep the miles off of our new truck. everytime I find a good deal, they go and buy something in it's place, ha ha, sooner or later though! thanks again!